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Stochastic Models of Manufacturing Syste
Stochastic Models of Manufacturing Syste
Stochastic Models of Manufacturing Syste
Volume 13/No. 3
book review
tant parameters is presented, such as properties of various layouts: functional layout, product layout, and cellular
powder metal parts, dimensional accuracy attainable, and layout. Features, advantages, and disadvantages of each are
part design rules. discussed. Then follow sections on modern (that is, NC and
"Liquid Materials: Casting Processes," Chapter 10, DNC) machine tools, robots, and flexible manufacturing
follows the same pattern as the previous chapter. Seven systems. Subsequent sections cover computer-integrated
casting processes are described, discussed, and compared. manufacturing, efficient manufacturing, production plan-
Several design rules for casting design are presented. ning and control, and the Japanese production philosophy.
Information sheets for five processes conclude the chapter: Very skillful writing made it possible to provide a great deal
sand casting, shell mold casting, investment casting, per- of important information on relatively few pages.
manent mold casting, and die casting. All five belong to the The need and pressure for cleaner manufacturing, and
same class--M, Me, Ri, TF, Co. The five symbols clearly the benefits derived from it, are the substance of the short
apply to the molding phase of the casting process. The Chapter 14 (5 pages). Not much can be said in so few
pouring is equivalent to motion and comes under the pages, but the essentials are there.
heading "information." In the final chapter, Chapter 15, we find just two pages on
"Plastics and Plastic Processing," Chapter 11, contains industrial safety. The coverage is brief but very important.
a short description of the manufacturing properties of More than 100 problems are given at the end of the book;
plastics-- thermoplastic and thermosetting-- and of the main the 23 numerical ones have the answers given.
plastics manufacturing methods for " p u r e " and reinforced Manufacturing Engineering Processes is an outstanding
plastics. Information sheets are provided for blow molding, work. The combination of scope, depth, and organization
extrusion molding, injection molding, and thermoform makes it highly valuable as a university textbook and as a
molding. resource for practicing engineers.
"Nontraditional Manufacturing Processes" are covered Moshe M. Barash
in Chapter 12. All manufacturing processes that appeared Purdue University
after World War II are called "nontraditional," probably
for lack of a better term. The oldest is electrical discharge
machining (EDM) (sometimes still called spark erosion,
which is actually a more accurate term), patented half a
Stochastic Models of Manufacturing Systems
century ago. Anything older must be considered "tradi-
J. Buzacott and J. George Shanthikumar, authors
tional." EDM is the first process discussed in the chapter.
Prentice Hall, © 1993
The description given is very good, and some details, such
xxii + 553 pp.
as the servosystem, are rarely found in general texts. EDM
$61.00
wire cutting and EDM grinding are also described. Consid-
erable space is given to electron beam and laser machining
and welding. The picture of a laser cut (trimmed) pressing
This book concerns discrete parts manufacturing systems
of a can body side is impressive. Other processes described
and stochastic models for those systems. The first chapter
in considerable detail are ultrasonic machining and electro-
presents a classification of manufacturing systems, treats
chemical machining. The last section in this chapter is
management issues in manufacturing, and sets out the
really modern--it contains a description of "layer manu-
authors' philosophy on modeling. The second chapter
facturing technology," a group of processes known as
illustrates the development of a model of a simple system.
"rapid prototyping." Several of these processes are
Thereafter there are eight chapters on models of various
described: stereolithography, solid foil polymerization,
manufacturing systems. The final chapter concerns topics
selective laser sintering, and ballistic particle manufactur-
for further research.
ing. These will remain nontraditional well into the 21st
The next eight chapters are on specific manufacturing
century.
systems:
Manufacturing processes don't exist in isolation. They
need machines and a proper environment or, to use a 3. Produce-to-stock systems
modern term, "manufacturing systems," the topic and title 4. Produce-to-order systems
of Chapter 13. It begins with classification of production 5. Flowlines
continued
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Journal of Manufacturing Systems
Volume 13/No. 3
book review
238